Former Church Employee Arrested for Child Molestation

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- A former church employee is now in jail, accused of taking advantage of a young girl.

That girl is just 13 years old. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department says the man who molested her, Charles Tucker, is now behind bars. He's charged with child molestation and child pornography. Tucker worked at North Love Baptist Church when the alleged abuse happened and when he was arrested, but the pastor says Tucker no longer works for the church. Investigators won't say whether the girl was taken advantage of at the church or somewhere else.

Tucker's neighbors say they were shocked to learn an accused sexual predator lived right down the street.

"I feel surprised and I feel concerned having small children living in this neighborhood. I would like to be aware of this information and I would like to see our neighborhood notified in some way shape or form so that we can just be a little more cautious," Wendy Seerup, said.

Tucker is in jail on $50,000 bond. He'll be in court on August 21.

The pastor says he’s cooperating with investigators, but he didn't want to go into any more detail about Tucker or his role at the church because of the investigation.

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